Methods of use &amp; valves with multi-directional ball check

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling fluid flow in a stream, the method including using a valve, the valve with a valve body in which is rotatably mounted a valve member, the valve member having therein a ball check for selectively preventing fluid flow through the valve; and such a method for producing an exit stream from a valve.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/330,546 filedOct. 6, 2016, which is a division of Ser. No. 13/998,560 filed Nov. 8,2013 (now abandoned), which is a continuation-in-part relative to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/762,313 filed Apr. 17, 2010 and issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,584,705 on Nov. 19, 2013, from all of which applicationsand the issued patent this invention and this present application claimpriority under the Patent Laws, and which applications and patent areincorporated fully herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to: valves and methods of their use;to valves for controlling fluid flow and for permitting fluid flow inmultiple directions; to ball valves and plug valves; and to valves witha built-in check valve.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of known valves, ball valves, plug valves,check valves, valves with check valves, and methods of their use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in certain aspects and embodiments, discloses avalve with a rotatable valve structure that includes within it a movableball check for selectively blocking fluid flow through the valve. Thevalve structure may be any suitable known rotatable valve structure,such as, but not limited to, known rotatable plug members and ballmembers of known valves. In certain aspects, the ball check is movablewithin a structure, e.g., within a plug or a ball, to seat against acheck seat formed of the plug or ball to stop fluid flow through thevalve.

In certain aspects, such a valve has multiple operating positions and/orprovides controlled flow in dual directions. In one aspect, the valvehas open and closed positions. In another aspect, the valve has open,closed, and bypass positions, with dual flow directions through thevalve. In certain aspects, the ball check can check fluid flowing in oneof two directions through the valve by rotating the valve structure asdesired.

When made of appropriate known materials, sized appropriately, andconfigured in a suitable manner, valves according to the presentinvention may be used for controlling the flow of a broad variety offluids and in a wide variety of technical and industrial situations,including both fluids at low pressures and fluids at high pressures,e.g., including, but not limited to transmission and processing offluids (gas, vapor, and/or liquid) in: chemical applications;petrochemical applications; refinery streams, equipment, andapparatuses; oil and gas well drilling, cementing, completion,servicing, and production operations.

In certain particular aspects, the present invention provides plugvalves or ball valves with a rotatable plug or ball in a cavity in avalve body with a ball check disposed within and movable by fluid flowwithin the valve. The valve bodies of these valves can be shaft-rotatedor stem-rotated with the shaft or stem connected to the plug or ball, orformed integrally thereof, to assist in holding the plug or ball inposition within a cavity in a valve body; or one or two trunnion membersmay be used in conjunction with the plug or ball to support and positionthe plug or ball, and to facilitate its rotation within a valve body.

In certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention, a ballcheck is maintained within a cavity in a valve body by a member with oneor more projections projecting into the cavity which prevent the ballcheck from exiting from the cavity. These projection(s) may be on aremovable/insertable member put in place in or adjacent a flow openingof the valve body following insertion of the ball check into the cavity;or they may project from the valve body itself.

In other aspects, a ball check is inserted into a valve body cavitythrough a hole or opening sufficiently large for the ball check to passthrough, and then the hole or opening is closed off. In certain aspects,the hole or opening is also used for insertion into the valve body of arotating stem or member, or for the disposition of a trunnion member,any of which will close off the opening once the ball check has beendisposed in the valve body cavity. In any such valve, a second flowopening or flow port of the valve body spaced-apart from or opposite theposition of a ball check seat a first flow opening or port may haveprojection(s) that prevent the ball check's exit from the valve bodythrough the second port or opening so that the ball check cannot seat atthe second flow port or opening. Such a second flow port or opening,with projection(s), may be sized so that the presence of the ball checkdoes not adversely affect flow through the valve when the ball check isnot seated against the ball check seat and when flow through the valveis desired. In any such valve according to the present invention, theball check may be sized and the flow ports and openings may be sized sothat desired flow through the valve is effected despite the presence ofthe ball check within the valve body.

An apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid may include a mainpassageway for conducting the fluid and a valve which may include arotatable valve cavity having a ball check. The rotatable valve cavitymay be rotatable with respect to the main passageway to provide at leastthree positions including a bypass position, a closed position and a runposition.

Such a valve may include an outlet for connection to a sight glass, andthe apparatus may include a bleeder valve. Such an apparatus may includea sight glass which may be in fluid communication with the valve.

Thus, a valve according to certain embodiments of the present invention,and e.g. as shown in the drawing figures may include: a body with afirst body side and a second body side; a main passageway through thebody for conducting a fluid into and/or through the valve, the mainpassageway including a first passage opening at the first body side anda second passage opening at the second body side; a valve plug (or ball)extending through the valve body and having a cavity, e.g., a plugcavity or a ball cavity, positioned within the main passageway so thatfluid flowing through the main passageway may flow through the cavity;the cavity having a first side and a second side, a first opening on thefirst side through which fluid may flow to and from the main passagewaywith respect to the cavity, a second opening on the second side throughwhich fluid may flow to and from the main passageway with respect to thecavity, the first side opposite the second side, the first openinglarger than the second opening, and an interior valve seat; the valveplug (or ball) selectively rotatable in the body (a) to permitbidirectional fluid flow through the cavity and therefore through thevalve in a “run” position, (b) to close the valve to fluid flow in a“closed” position, and (c) to permit bypass fluid flow through the valvein a “bypass” position; and the valve plug or ball having a ball checkmovably located within the cavity, the ball check movable by action offluid flowing through the main passageway into the cavity to seatagainst the valve seat to prevent fluid flow through the valve.

Such a valve may have one or some, in any possible combination, of thefollowing: the cavity located in line with the main passageway so thatfluid flowing through the main passageway does not change direction whenflowing through the cavity from the first side of the cavity to thesecond side of the cavity and so that fluid flowing through the mainpassageway does not change direction when flowing through the cavityfrom the second side of the cavity to the first side of the cavity; theball check passable through the first opening, the cavity having acavity top and a cavity bottom, a projection either extending across thecavity from one side to the other or from top to bottom or theprojection extending from the cavity bottom of the cavity into thecavity and having a projection top located below and spaced-apart fromand not in contact with the cavity top, the projection located formaintaining the ball check in the cavity and preventing the ball checkfrom passing through the first opening and into the main passageway andfrom exiting the valve body; the ball check having a ball diameter andthe projection having a projection height, the ball diameter greaterthan the projection height, and/or the projection having a projectiondiameter, the ball diameter greater than the projection diameter; thecavity having a bottom surface and an inclined surface, the inclinedsurface between the bottom surface and the interior valve seat, thevalve further including a recess defined by a surface of the projection,the bottom surface of the cavity and the inclined surface, the recessfor holding the ball check when fluid is flowing through the valve; thecavity of sufficient diameter to permit fluid flow around the ball checkand with the valve plug or ball in a bypass position, (a) fluid flow isable to push the ball check away from the interior valve seat and carryaway a contaminate lodged between the ball check and the interior valveseat, and (b) the projection prevents the ball check from exiting thecavity; the body having a body top, the valve plug or ball having ashaft integral therewith or connected thereto projecting beyond the bodytop, and a handle connected to the valve shaft for rotating the valveplug or ball to select a valve position; and/or the valve such thatrotating the handle one hundred eighty degrees rotates the valve plug orball between a bypass position and a run position

The present invention, in certain aspects, provides a valve for fluidflow control including: a body with a first body side and a second bodyside; a main passageway through the body for conducting a fluid intoand/or through the valve, the main passageway including a first passageopening at the first body side and a second passage opening at thesecond body side; a valve structure, e.g., a plug or a ball, extendingthrough the valve body and having a cavity positioned within the mainpassageway so that fluid flowing through the main passageway may flowthrough the cavity; the cavity having a first side and a second side, afirst opening on the first side through which fluid may flow to and fromthe main passageway with respect to the cavity, a second opening on thesecond side through which fluid may flow to and from the main passagewaywith respect to the plug cavity, the first side opposite the secondside, and an interior valve seat; the valve structure (e.g., plug orball) selectively rotatable in the body (a) to permit bidirectionalfluid flow through the cavity and therefore through the valve in a “run”position, (b) to close the valve to fluid flow in a “closed” position,and (c) to permit bypass fluid flow through the valve in a “bypass”position; the valve structure (e.g., plug or ball) having a ball checkmovably located within the cavity, the ball check movable by action offluid flowing through the main passageway into the cavity to seatagainst the valve seat to prevent fluid flow through the valve; thecavity located in line with the main passageway so that fluid flowingthrough the main passageway does not change direction when flowingthrough the cavity from the first side of the cavity to the second sideof the cavity and so that fluid flowing through the main passageway doesnot change direction when flowing through the cavity from the secondside of the cavity to the first side of the cavity; the ball checkpassable through the first opening; the cavity having a cavity top and acavity bottom, and a projection extending from a part of the cavity oran upward projection extending from the cavity bottom of the cavity intothe cavity, the projection, in one aspect, being an upward projectionhaving a projection top, the projection top located below spaced-apartfrom and not in contact with the cavity top, the projection located formaintaining the ball check in the cavity and preventing the ball checkfrom passing through the first opening and into the main passageway andfrom exiting the valve body.

The present invention provides, in certain aspects, fluid systems with avessel, a first valve, a second valve, and a sight glass; each of thefirst valve and the second valve being a valve according to the presentinvention. Such a system can include a bleeder valve in fluidcommunication with the sight glass and one of the valves.

Accordingly, the present invention includes features and advantageswhich are believed to advance valve technology. Characteristics andadvantages of the present invention described above and additionalfeatures and benefits will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart upon consideration of the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments and referring to the accompanying drawings. Whatfollows are some of, but not all, the objects of this invention. Inaddition to the specific objects stated below for at least certainpreferred embodiments of the invention, there are other objects andpurposes which will be readily apparent to one of skill in this art whohas the benefit of this invention's teachings and disclosures. [0017] Itis, therefore, an object of at least certain preferred embodiments ofthe present invention to provide:

New, useful unique, efficient, nonobvious valves with a ball checkwithin a cavity in a valve body, the body rotatable to multiple flowand/or closing positions within the valve; and

New, useful, unique, efficient, nonobvious methods for using suchvalves.

Certain embodiments of this invention are not limited to any particularindividual feature disclosed here, but include combinations of themdistinguished from the prior art in their structures, functions, and/orresults achieved. Features of the invention have been broadly describedso that the detailed descriptions that follow may be better understood,and in order that the contributions of this invention to the arts may bebetter appreciated.

There are, of course, additional aspects of the invention describedbelow and which may be included in the subject matter of the claims tothis invention. Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of thisinvention, its teachings, and suggestions will appreciate that theconceptions of this disclosure may be used as a creative basis fordesigning other structures, methods and systems for carrying out andpracticing the present invention. The claims of this invention are to beread to include any legally equivalent devices or methods which do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The presentinvention and its diverse embodiments recognize and address thelong-felt needs and provides a solution to problems and a satisfactorymeeting of those needs in its various possible embodiments andequivalents thereof. To one of skill in this art who has the benefits ofthis invention's realizations, teachings, disclosures, and suggestions,other purposes and advantages will be appreciated from the followingdescription of certain preferred embodiments, given for the purpose ofdisclosure, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.The detail in these descriptions is not intended to thwart this patent'sobject to claim this invention no matter how others may later disguiseit by variations in form, changes, or additions of further improvements.

It will be understood that the various embodiments of the presentinvention may include one, some, or any possible combination of thedisclosed, described, and/or enumerated features, aspects, and/orimprovements and/or technical advantages and/or elements in claims tothis invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich, like reference numerals identify like elements. These drawingsillustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and are not tobe used to improperly limit the scope of the invention which may haveother equally effective or legally equivalent embodiments. In theappended figures, similar components and/or features may have the samenumerical reference label. Various components of the same type may bedistinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components and/or features.

If only the first numerical reference label is used in thespecification, the description is applicable to any one of the similarcomponents and/or features having the same first numerical referencelabel irrespective of the letter suffix.

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a valve body of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the valve body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the valve body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve body of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the valve body of FIG. 1 in a firstposition.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top cross-sectional of the valve body of FIG. 1 inthe first position;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the valve body of FIG. 1 in a secondposition.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the valve body of FIG.1 in the second position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the valve body of FIG. 1 in a thirdposition.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the valve body of FIG.1 in the third position.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the valve body ofFIG. 1 positioned within a passageway.

FIG. 12 illustrates a system of the present invention to determine if atap is plugged.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system of the present invention to prevent a highpressure liquid from escaping.

FIG. 14 illustrates a system of the present invention to verify liquidlevel in a vessel.

FIG. 15A is a top view of a valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 15B is a section view of the valve of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15C is an enlargement of part of the valve as shown in FIG. 15B.

FIG. 15D is a perspective view of the valve body of the valve of FIG.15A.

FIG. 15E is a section view of the ball of FIG. 15D.

FIG. 15F is a front view of a ball check retainer for a valve accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 15G is a front view of a ball check retainer for a valve accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 15H is a front view of a ball check retainer for a valve accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 15I is a front view of a snap ring for a valve according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 15J is an exploded view of the valve body shown in FIG. 15D,showing the body, the ball, and the ball retainer.

FIG. 15K is a crosssection view of valve body of FIGS. 15D and 15J.

FIG. 15L is an enlargement of the Detail A indicated in FIG. 15K.

FIG. 15M is an enlargement of the Detail B as indicated in FIG. 15K.

FIG. 15N is a front view of the ball retainer shown in FIG. 15J.

FIG. 15O is a side view of the retainer shown in FIG. 15N.

FIG. 15P is a top view of the ball shown in FIG. 15J.

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view partly in section illustrating avalve of the ball type incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 17A is a section view of a valve body with ball check according tothe present invention.

FIG. 17B is a section view of the valve body of FIG. 17A showing insertsremoved.

FIG. 17C is an end view of the valve body of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17D is a top view of the valve body of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is a section view of a valve body with ball check according tothe present invention.

FIG. 19A is an end view of a valve body according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 19B is an end view of a valve body according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 20A is a section view of a valve with ball check according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 20B is a side view of the valve of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 20C is a crosssection view of the top of the valve of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21A is a crosssection view of a valve according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 21B is a top view, partially in crosssection, of the valve of FIG.21A.

FIG. 21C is an enlargement of part of the valve of FIG. 21B.

FIG. 21D is an enlargement of the valve of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21E is a perspective view of part of the valve of FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22A is a perspective view of a valve according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 22B is a top view of part of the valve of FIG. 22A, this part alonebeing prior art.

FIG. 22C is a side view of part of the valve of FIG. 22B.

FIG. 22D is a crosssection view of parts of the valve of FIG. 22A whichparts are in the prior art.

FIG. 22E is an exploded view showing parts at the top of the valve ofFIG. 22A, which parts are in the prior art.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a valve according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a valve according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a valve according to the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may include a valve body which may be rotatedsubstantially 180 degrees in order to allow fluid to flow through thevalve body and respectively in the reverse direction with respect to thevalve body. Consequently, when a contaminant becomes lodged therein,e.g., with respect to a valve ball (cock ball), the valve body may berotated, e.g. substantially 180 degrees, to allow fluid to flow in thereverse direction with respect to the valve body. As a consequence ofthis reverse flow, the contaminant may be washed away, e.g., contaminantlodged between a ball check within the body and a valve seat. The valvebody may be rotated substantially 180 degrees to return the valve bodyto substantially the initial position. This operation allows the valveto be cleared with a simple operation which can be performed in a shortamount of time and does not require the disassembly of or thereplacement of the valve, saving time and cost.

FIG. 1 illustrates a valve 100 which may include a valve shaft 103 whichmay be rotated in order to control the position of a valve body 101 andto control the operation of the valve plug 100. The valve 100 may bereferred to in various embodiments as a “valve plug,” “plug valve,”“ball valve,” or or as a “sleeved plug valve.” The valve body 101 housesa valve cavity 107 (valve passageway). FIG. 1 additionally illustrates aside surface 105 of the valve body 101 which may be opposed to amirrored side surface 105. An end of the valve shaft 103 may includeexternal threads 104 for attachment to a valve handle 109 (not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the valve plug 100 and the valve body101 which may include a front surface 111 which may include a frontaperture 113 to provide a passageway to the valve cavity 107. The valvecavity 107 may include an upward extending projection 115 which mayextend into the valve cavity 107 to restrict the movement of a ballcheck 119 within the valve cavity 107 and the front aperture 113 may beof larger diameter or larger dimension to allow the flow of fluid aroundthe ball check 119.

FIG. 3 illustrates a back view of the valve plug 100 and illustrates aback surface 131 of the valve body 101 which may include a back aperture133 to form a passageway into the valve cavity 107. The back aperture133 may have a smaller diameter or a smaller dimension than the ballcheck 119 in order that the ball check 119 may block or restrict theflow of fluid from the passageway out of the valve cavity 107 when thereis a flow rate of the fluid which exceeds a predetermined value, e.g.,which may occur when there is a break in the container of the fluid (notshown).

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the valve plug 100 andillustrates the ball check 119 and the valve shaft 103.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cover 133 to cover the valve 100 over the mainpassageway 135 and a handle 109 to cooperate with the valve shaft 103 torotate the valve body 101, in one aspect, to at least three positions.The cover 133 may include indicia to indicate the position, for examplerun, closed or bypass. The indication may be that the valve body is in arun position which may allow the fluid to flow in either direction aslong as the flow rate does not exceed a predetermined value. When theflow rate exceeds the predetermined value, for example if the flow isflowing right to left, the ball check 119 may move from a rest positionto cooperate with a valve seat 137 to substantially seal against theseat so that the flow of fluid is stopped once a predetermined flow ratehas been exceeded. If there was a break in the main passage way 135, theflow rate of the fluid would exceed the predetermined flow rate as thefluid leaks out of the break. The seal between the ball check 119 andthe valve seat 137 would prevent a large loss of fluid. Thus if thevalve 100 is used in conjunction with a large vessel of fluid, the sealbetween the ball check 119 and valve seat 137 may prevent a large lossof fluid from the vessel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the valve cavity 107 which may bedefined by a cylinder surface 151 which may extend to a first reduceddiameter cylinder surface 153 which may extend to the front aperture 113and which may extend to an inclined surface 155 which may extend to asecond reduced diameter cylinder surface 159 which may extend to theback aperture 133. The plug cavity has a bottom surface and the inclinedsurface 155 between the bottom surface and the valve seat 137, the valvehaving a recess defined by a surface of the upward projection, thebottom surface of the cavity, and the inclined surface, the recess forholding the ball check 119 when fluid is flowing through the valve.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cover 133 to cover the sleeved valve 100 over themain passageway 135 and a handle 109 to cooperate with the valve shaft103 to rotate the valve body 101, e.g., to at least three positions. Thecover 133 may include indicia to indicate the position, for example run,closed or bypass. The indication may be that the valve body is in abypass position which may allow the fluid to flow in one directionregardless of the flow rate and does not inhibit the flow rate even ifthe flow rate exceeds a predetermined value. The flow of the fluid keepsthe ball check 119 from seating against its valve seat 137. In thebypass position, if a contaminate becomes lodged between the ball check119 and the valve seat 137, reverse flow of the fluid can push the ballcheck 119 away from the valve seat 137 and the fluid can carry thecontaminant away.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the valve cavity 107 in the bypassposition which may be defined by a cylinder surface 151 which may extendto a first reduced diameter cylinder surface 153 which may extend to thefront aperture 113 and which may extend to a inclined surface 155 whichmay extend to a second reduced diameter cylinder surface 159 which mayextend to the back aperture 133.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cover 133 to cover the valve 100 over the mainpassageway 135 and a handle 109 to cooperate with the valve shaft 103 torotate the valve body 101 to at least three positions. The cover 133 mayinclude indicia to indicate the position, for example run, closed orbypass. The indication may be that the valve body is in a closedposition which may not allow the flow of fluid in any directionregardless of the flow rate. Both the front aperture 113 and the backaperture 133 are blocked.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the valve cavity 107 which may bedefined by a cylinder surface 151 which may extend to a first reduceddiameter cylinder surface 153 which may extend to the front aperture 113and which may extend to a inclined surface 155 which may extend to asecond reduced diameter cylinder surface 159 which may extend to theback aperture 133.

FIG. 11 illustrates the sleeved valve 100 positioned within the mainpassageway 135 and illustrates the ball check 119 at a resting positionadjacent to the upward extending projection 115. This allows flow of thefluid in either direction since the ball check 119 is not positionedwithin the valve seat 137. However, when the flow of the fluid reaches apredetermined level, the fluid flow causes the ball check 119 to move toa second position indicated by the phantom line and adjacent to thevalve seat 137 to prevent the flow of the fluid in the direction asshown left to right.

FIG. 12 illustrates a system of the present invention which may includea vessel 1201 and a sight glass 1203 which may be interconnected with afirst valve 100 (shown as the upper valve) and a second valve 100 (shownas the lower valve) where the first sleeved valve 100 may be in a bypassposition and the second sleeved valve 100 may be in a closed position inorder to verify if a tap is plugged by opening the bottom bleeder valve1205. If a vapor is allowed to flow through the bottom bleeder valve1205 the tap is clear.

FIG. 13 illustrates a system of the present invention to prevent a highpressure liquid from escaping.

FIG. 14 illustrates a system of the present invention to verify liquidlevel in the vessel.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a valve 200 according to the present inventionwhich has a housing 202 with left part 202 a bolted with nuts 202 c onstuds 202s of right part 202 b. A gasket 202 g is interposed between thetwo housing parts. A ball valve 220 according to the present inventionis rotatable by a handle 204 to control fluid flow in a passageway 206(with part of the passageway 206 a through the left part 202 a of thehousing and part of the passageway 206 b through the right part of thehousing 202 b). The stem 208 has an end 208 a received in and held in arecess 230 a of a valve body 230 using a thrust washer. A nut 208 babove a belleville washer 208 c secures the handle 204 to the stem 208.A gland follower 209 a and a gland ring 209 b hold stem packing 209 caround the stem 208. The ball valve 220 is in a corresponding recess 213formed of and between the two housing parts.

The ball valve 220 has a ball check 222 movably disposed in a passageway224 which extends through the valve body 230. The ball check 222 can beat rest in a recess 222 a of the passageway 222 as shown in FIGS. 15Band 15C; seated against a ball check seat surface 222 b to close off aflow port 222 e of the valve body 230; or held against a retainer plate222 c which itself is held in place by a retainer clip 222 d, theretainer plate 222 c preventing the ball check 222 from exiting thevalve body through a flow port 222 f. The retainer plate 222 c abuts aguide seat 222 g.

The ball valve body 230 is seated on one side against a seat 214. A seatgasket 214g is between the seat 214 and the valve body. On the otherside the valve body 230 is seated against a seat 216. A seat gasket 216gis between the set 216 and the valve body 230.

As shown in FIG. 15D, the retainer plate 222 c has a ring 222 r and acentral member 222s that define two openings 222 p and 222 t throughwhich fluid may flow through the retainer plate. In certain aspects, theretainer plate is configured and sized, and the openings 222 p and 222 tare configured and sized so that a desired flow rate through theretainer plate 222 c is achieved (i.e., so that even with the ball check222 abutting the retainer plate 222 c, desired flow through the valvebody is possible). In certain aspects, these openings are sized in areaso that no more than ten percent, or no more than twenty percent of flowthrough the passageway opening opposite the opening with the ball checkseating surface is blocked.

A recess or groove 222 h in the valve body (see FIG. 15E) holds theretainer clip 222 d.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the handle 204 can be rotated to rotate the ballvalve 220 into one of three positions—run (as shown in FIGS. 15b , 15C);closed to flow; or bypass. By reversing flow through the valve body,(either way) material or contaminants at or near the ball check seatingsurface 222 b is moved or flushed away, insuring that a good seat can beobtained between the ball check 222 and the ball check seating surface222 b. In certain aspects the ball check is designed with a surface areapresented to fluid flow (the effective area of the ball check throughwhich fluid cannot flow in the passageway 224 through the valve body230) and with a passageway component 224 c appropriately sized, so thatsufficient fluid flow is possible around the ball check in the component224 c so that a desired fluid flow rate through the valve 220 can beachieved and maintained.

As shown in FIG. 15 I, an open snap ring SG has an opening PG and,optionally, end tabs EB. Optionally, each end tab EB may have a hole HLtherethrough. It is also within the scope of the present invention touse a snap ring of appropriate size and configuration (e.g., but notlimited to as shown in FIG. 15 I) for the retainer. It is within thescope of the present invention to use an open “snap” ring for theretainer clip 222 d to hold the retainer plate 222 c in place plateitself, with or without a retainer clip or retaining snap ring.

It is within the scope of the present invention to retain a ball checkwithin a valve body using a projection or projections projecting fromthe valve body which prevent the ball check from passing through a fluidflow opening near or adjacent the projection(s). One, two, three, fouror more such projections may be used. FIGS. 15F-15H show valve bodiesBO, BD, and BS with projection Po, projections Pd, and projections Ps,respectively.

FIG. 15J shows the valve body 230, the ball check 222, and the retainerplate 222 c. FIGS. 15K-15P present actual physical measurements anddimensions, in inches, for one embodiment of these parts. “R” indicatesa measurement for a radius and a “{acute over (ø)}” indicates adiameter.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a ball checkstructure for so-called “trunnion ball valves” which have an uppertrunnion structure and/or a lower trunnion structure for supporting aball of a valve, maintaining a ball's position, and/or for facilitatingrotation of the ball. Any ball check and associated structure hereinaccording to the present invention may be used in a suitable trunnionball valve. In one particular aspect, the valve of U.S. Pat. No.3,752,178 is improved with teaching of the present invention (patentincorporated fully herein for all purposes).

A ball valve 300 according to the present invention illustrated in FIG.16 has a body 310 which may be fabricated by any suitable methods, e.g.,by welding, and is provided with aligned flow passages 311. Body hubs312 may be arranged for welding to piping, or may be provided withconventional pipe coupling flanges. A valve ball 313 is disposed withinthe body space 314 and is provided with a port 315 adapted to registerwith flow passages 311 for an open position of the valve. The body isrotatably carried by trunnion structures to enable rotation between fullopen and closed positions.

The trunnion structure for the upper end of the ball is a trunnionmember 316 which has a flange 317 that is seated upon an upper wallportion 318 of the valve body. Its inner end portion extends within abore 319 formed in the ball. It is sealed with respect to the body as bythe resilient seals 320. Suitable bearing members 321 and 322 areinterposed between the trunnion member 316 and the adjacent surfaces ofthe bore, and these may be made of any suitable material.

An operating shaft 323 extends through the trunnion member 316 and hasits inner end coupled to the ball. Thus pins 324 are fitted into alignedopenings formed in the ball and in the lower end of the shaft, therebycoupling the shaft to the ball. Axially spaced seals 326 and 327 serveto establish seals between the shaft and the trunnion member 316. Eachof these seals may be of the resilient O-ring type. A duct 328 is showncommunicating with the space between the seals 326 and 327 for theintroduction of a viscous sealant or lubricant. This duct may be incommunication with a suitable sealant injecting fitting.

A plate 331 is shown overlying the upper end of the trunnion and isbetween the trunnion and a mounting plate 332. Screws 333 serve to clampthe trunnion flange 317 against the body, and screws 334 may extendthrough the mounting plate 332, plate 331 and flange 317 and threadedinto the body for clamping all of these parts together. The mountingplate facilitates the mounting of various types of operating devicesupon the valve body.

The other trunnion is a trunnion member 341 which extends through thebody wall portion 342 and which has an exterior flange 343 which isclamped by screws 344. Suitable seals (e.g., a resilient O-ring) 345prevents leakage between the trunnion member 341 and the body. The innerend of the trunnion member is accommodated within a bore 346 formed inthe valve ball, and bearing 347, such as a sleeve formed of suitablematerial, serves to provide proper journalling.

An adjustable thrust plug 348 has threaded engagement with the trunnionmember 341 and is capable of adjustment from the exterior of the valvefor the purpose of adjusting the position of the valve ball with respectto the flow passages 311. The trunnion member 341 is also shown providedwith a duct 349 which is normally closed by plug 351, and which makespossible draining material from the valve body.

Annular sealing assemblies 353 are shown carried by the body and serveto establish seals between the body and the valve ball.

As shown in certain embodiments and as discussed above, it is within thescope of the present invention to insert a ball check into a valve bodythrough a flow passageway opening of the passageway through the valvebody and then to retain the ball check within the valve body with aretainer plate and/or projection(s). The projection(s) can beprojections from the valve body or they can be projection(s) from a ringor plate placed in or near the passageway opening. Projection(s) on avalve body may be formed integrally with the valve body or they may beadded after a ball check is inserted through an opening. Alternatively,a hole may be made in a valve body through which the ball check isinserted into the valve body; and then the hole is closed off by a plug,an insert, by part of a rotatable stem, or by part of a trunnion member.

FIGS. 17A - 17D show a valve body 240 according to the present inventionwith a flow passageway 242 therethrough and a ball check 244 movablydisposed in the passageway 242. The ball check 244 can be moved byflowing fluid to seat against a seating surface 245; or it can beretained within the passageway 242 by projections 248 projecting intothe passageway 242 from the valve body 240.

Initially, the ball check 244 is inserted into the passageway 242through a hole 246 and the hole is then closed off with an insert 246 a.Optionally, or in addition to the hole 246, a hole 249 is provided inthe valve body 240 and the ball check is inserted into the passageway242 through the hole 249 which is then shut with an insert 249 a.

As shown in FIG. 18, the structure or member closing off a hole in avalve body through which a ball check is insertable into the valve bodymay be part of a rotatable stem or part of a trunnion member. FIG. 18shows a valve body 250, like the valve body 240 (and like numeralsindicate like parts) which has a stem 252 with a part 252 a that closesoff the hole 246 (after the ball check 244 is placed in the passageway242 through the hole 246). A part 254a of a trunnion member 254 closesoff the hole 249 (after the ball check 244 is inserted through the hole249 into the passageway 242).

FIG. 19A shows a valve body 260 according to the present invention witha flow passageway 262 therethrough and projections 264 projectinginwardly into the flow passageway 262 to retain a ball check 266 withinthe valve body 260.

FIG. 19B shows a valve body 270 according to the present invention witha flow passageway 272 therethrough and projections 274 projectinginwardly into the flow passageway 262 to retain a ball check 276 withinthe valve body 270.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a ball checkvalve and/or a multi-directional ball check according to the presentinvention in any suitable known ball valve. It is also within the scopeof the present invention to provide any suitable known valve lockingmechanism with any valve according to the present invention. In certainaspects, the present invention provides new and nonobvious improvementsto the ball valves of U.S. Patent 4,848,724, incorporated fully hereinfor all purposes. As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, a ball valve 400according to the present invention has a ball check structure BA with aball BL. The ball check structure and the ball BL are shownschematically and may be any suitable such structure and ball accordingto the present invention as disclosed herein.

The ball valve 400 has a body 410 which has two halves screwed together;the body 410 includes an intermediate portion defining an inner valvechamber 411 and end portions axially aligned defining inlet and ports412 and 413 communicating with the valve chamber 411. The structure BAis rotatable to control through the valve and is disposed inside thechamber 411 of the body 410 of the valve; the structure BA can berotated by means of a control lever 415 connected to a shaft 416,rotatably supported by a hub 421. The shaft 416, at its lower end isseated in a groove, while an upper end 417 is suitably shaped andreceived in a slot-shaped hole near the forward end of the control lever415. The structure BA includes wall structure defining a transverseconduit 419 which, in the open condition of the valve is arrangedcoaxially and in communication with ports 412 and 413. The rotation ofthe structure BA for an angle of 90 degrees around the axis of shaft416, brings the ball structure BA into a second closed condition of thevalve in which the flow is completely cutoff. Annular sealing members418 are disposed between the structure BA and ports 412 and 413, insidethe valve chamber 411, and further sealing rings are disposed betweenthe ball shaft 416 and the hub 421. The control lever 415 is secured tothe upper end 417 of shaft 416 by a nut 422 which is screwed onto thethreaded end 417 (see FIG. 20C). The nut 422 has a cylindrical lowerportion and an upper enlarged portion defining an annular shoulder 401.A cylindrical element CE is located coaxially to nut 422 to freelyrotate, and is prevented from axial movement by an inner annularshoulder 402 abutting against the shoulder 401 of nut 422. The upper endof the cylindrical element CE has an upper enlarged portion 403, ofgreater diameter, defining with the lower cylindrical portion an outerannular shoulder.

As shown in 20A, the forward end of control lever 415 is downwardly bentand provided with a downwardly protruding lip 423 so as to approach theouter cylindrical surface of the hub portion 421 of the valve body;turning the lever 415, the lip 423 engages stop protrusions 424 and 425,on the hub 421, in such a way as to define two main operative open andclosed positions of the valve. This locking structure prevents orpermits rotation of control lever 415, engaging and disengaging theprotrusion 424 relative to said first operative position in which theball valve is totally open. As shown, this includes a ring-shapedelement 426 freely sliding and rotating in the direction and around theaxis of rotation of ball structure BA. The ring-shaped element 426 has aradial wall portion along a preset angle, having downwardly turnedcylindrical wall 428 concentric to the outer cylindrical surface of thehub 421. The lower edge of the cylindrical wall 428 is toothed at 429,and the sides of contiguous teeth are arranged parallel to each otherand spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the thickness ofprotrusion 424 so that the latter can be engaged and disengaged bysliding and turning movements of the ring element 426.

The locking ring element 426 is connected to lever 415 to rotate with itin such a way as to maintain the same angular relation with respect tothe lever 415 while allowing a sliding movement of ring 426. For thispurpose the inner surface of cylindrical wall portion 428 of the lockingring element 421 has a longitudinal slot into which protrude a corner orprotruding portion at the front edge of lever 415, which fits in such away as to allow locking ring element 426 to rotate with lever 415 and toslide axially along cylindrical element CE at the same time, whilemaintaining angular position with reference to the control lever 415.The position of this slot and the angular width of the cylindrical wallportion 428 allow protrusion 424 to be between the last tooth 429 ofwall 428 and lip 423 of the control lever when the valve is in the openposition, and also such that when the valve is in the closed positionthe last tooth at the other edge of the wall 428 abuts against theprotrusion 424, thus preventing rotation in either direction of lever415 which therefore remains locked in the desired condition. The slotsbetween teeth 429 thus define intermediate positions for partial openingof the valve, between conditions of maximum opening and fully closed.

To ensure that locking ring element 426, does not accidentally disengagefrom protrusion 424, or be deliberately disengaged to operate the valve,thus modifying or altering the flow conditions, a supplementaryretaining means has been provided to ensure that the locking element 426is not moved backwards or raised, and disengaged from protrusion 424which stops rotation of the control lever. This supplemental stop orretaining device has diametrically opposed holes 432 in the upperportion of cylindrical element CE near its enlarged portion 403, throughwhich a stop pin 433 is inserted; the ends of the pin 433 can besuitably deformed, i.e. widened, or provided with enlarged portions toprevent withdrawal. Any other equivalent means can be used instead ofpin 433, e.g. a padlock, so as to ensure that locking element 426 willnot move backwards or be deliberately disengaged from protrusion 424.The use of the ball valve and the operation of the locking device are asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,724.

It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a ball checkvalve and/or a multi-directional ball check according to the presentinvention in any suitable known rotary plug valve. It is also within thescope of the present invention to provide any suitable known rotary plugvalve locking mechanism with any valve according to the presentinvention. In certain aspects, the present invention provides new andnonobvious improvements to the ball valves of U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,218,incorporated fully herein for all purposes. As shown in FIGS. 21A and21B, a plug valve 500 according to the present invention has a ballcheck structure BT with a ball BC. The ball check structure BT and theball BC are shown schematically and may be any suitable such structureand ball according to the present invention as disclosed herein.

As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the valve 500 has a body 510 with anannular skirtlike extension 528 circumscribing the upper open end of thevalve plug seat 516 and defining an extension of the same. A valve plugmember 512 is provided with an end portion, which extends upwardlywithin the skirtlike extension 528, but terminates flush with or beneaththe outer edge 532 of the same. The end portion 530 of valve plug member512 is provided with an axially extending noncircular socket 534, whichis, e.g., square or rectangular in cross section. The socket 534 isarranged to receive either a T-shaped operating head or handle member536 or a closure. The valve body member 510 has a flow passage extendingtherethrough constituted by the ports or openings 514, the outer ends ofwhich are threaded, as is usual for connections with other parts of thesystem being controlled, such as the ends P of sections of pipe line(shown in broken lines). Of course, other means of connection may beemployed, such as flange connections or the like. Extending laterallythrough the valve body member 510 is a valve plug seat 516 open at leastat one end for reception of the valve plug member 512. The seat may betapered at least in a major or principal portion thereof. The valve plugmember 512 includes a major portion which is exteriorly tapered as at518 to be received in the tapered portion of the plug seat 516 of thebody 510. Circumferential grooves 520 are provided at either end of thetapered portion 518 of valve plug member 512, the grooves 520 receivingO-ring seals 522 for providing a further seal against leakage, inaddition to the seating surfaces of the tapered portions 516 and 518.

Outwardly of the lower circumferential groove 520, the valve plug member512 is provided with a reduced valve stem 524, the valve stem 524 beingutilized to secure the valve plug member 512 in the valve body 510 byany suitable means, such as, for example, those described in U.S. Pat.No. 2,653,791. The valve plug member 512 is further provided with apassageway or port 526 extending therethrough, the passageway or port526 being complementary in shape and size to the flow passage or portopenings 514 of the valve body 510. By rotation of the valve plug member512, on its axis through an arc of substantially 90 degrees, the flowpassageway 526 can be brought into and out of alignment with the passage514 of the valve body 510 to respectively open and close the rotary plugvalve.

The skirtlike extension 528 is provided with a bore 540 therethroughtransverse of the axis of the valve plug seat 16, which intersects theaxial bore 542, the bore 542 being in effect an extension of the plugseat. The end portion 530 of the valve plug member 512 is provided witha bore 544 therethrough, the bore 544 intersecting the axially extendingsocket 534. As will be noted, the bore 544 has a reduced portion 545.When the rotary plug valve is in the closed position, the bores 540 and544 are in axial alignment and provide a means for receiving elongatedplunger-type lock member 546. This valve has a conventional elongatedplunger-type lock member 516, such as shown in the U.S. Pat. Nos.3,002,368 and 3,186,196. The plunger-type lock member 516 for thepurpose of this description includes a first enlarged head 548 having areduced shank 550, the shank 550 carrying a pair of steel balls 552 heldin an outward position by a plunger (not shown) reciprocal within thereduced shank 550. A second separate enlarged cup-shaped head 554 isprovided, the cup-shaped head being arranged to receive the reducedshank 550 and having an annular groove 556 on the interior thereof whichis arranged to receive the balls 552 when the plunger (not shown) is ina position within the shank 550 to prevent the balls from movingradially inwardly. This locks the two elements of the plunger-type lockmember together until such time that a key means (not shown), such asdisclosed in either of the aforementioned U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,002,368 or3,186,196 is inserted axially through one of the heads to move theplunger from between the balls.

The plunger-type lock member 546 is shown inserted through the bores 540and 544. At least a portion of the bore 544 is reduced so that the head548 and the head 554 are arranged to engage a portion of the valve plugmember to prevent the plunger-type lock member from being moved axiallywhen in the locked position.

As shown in FIG. 21D, the closure plug 538 is provided with a head 560and an end portion 562, which is noncircular in cross section and whichis complementary to the noncircular socket 534. In the end portion 562,the closure plug 538 is provided with a bore 564 extending therethrough,the bore 564 having a reduced portion. The bore 564 has a reducedportion and the bore 544 has the reduced portion 545 which are adjacentone another and receive the shank 550. The purpose of having at least aportion of the bores 544 and 564 of greater diameter than the shank 550and at least sufficient to receive the cup-shaped head 554 is becausethe length of the head is such that it is greater than the wallthickness of the skirtlike extension 528. An operating head or handlemember is provided with an end portion, which is noncircular in crosssection and complementary to the socket 534 and a flat T-shaped portionfor receiving a wrench to turn the valve plug member 512. The endportion is provided on its surface with at least one groove, whichextends downwardly for a portion of its axial length (see U.S. Pat. No.3,554,218). The end portion 530 of the valve plug member 512 is providedwith a tapped or threaded hole 574 intermediate the ends of the bore544, the tapped or threaded hole 574 extending through the wall andopening to the socket 534. When the rotary plug valve is closed, it isnecessary to insert the operating handle 536 into the socket, then turnthe valve plug member 512 to the open position, and this brings the hole574 therein into alignment with the bore 540 in the skirtlike extension528. Access may then be had to the set screw and it can be threadedinwardly so that its end is received in the groove 572 and thus itretains the operating head or handle member 536 against axial movement.The valve can then be turned on and off as desired. When it is desiredto lock the valve, the set screw or retaining screw 576 must be removedwhile the valve is in the open position, the handle member 536 thenbeing utilized to turn the valve to the closed position. The handle isthen axially removed from the end of the valve plug member 512 and theclosure plug 538 inserted with the elongated plunger type lock 546 beingsubsequently applied to the aligned bores as previously described.

The teachings of the present invention can be applied by one of skill inthis art who has the creative benefits of this invention to certainvalves of TK Valve & Manufacturing, Inc. Valves according to the presentinvention in FIGS. 22A-25 are improved ball valves with a ball checkstructure and ball check—shown schematically as AA, BB, CC, andDD—according to the present invention. It is also within the scope ofthe present invention to use stop structure with any valve according tothe present invention and to use any suitable known stop structure.FIGS. 22B-22E show the known stop structure STC used with known TK ballvalves which can be used with valves (e.g., as in FIGS. 22A-25)according to the present invention. With gear-driven embodiments, anysuitable gear locking mechanism may be used.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts ofthe present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involvesboth structures, method steps, and techniques as well as devices toaccomplish the appropriate ends. Techniques and method steps accordingto the present invention are disclosed as part of the results shown tobe achieved by the various devices and structures and described and assteps which are inherent to utilization and are simply the naturalresult of utilizing the devices and structures as intended anddescribed. In addition, while some devices and structures are disclosed,it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methodsbut also can be varied in a number of ways. As to all of the foregoing,all of these facets should be understood as encompassed by thisdisclosure.

The discussion herein is intended to serve as a basic description. Thespecific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodimentspossible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explainthe generic nature of the invention and may not explicitly show how eachfeature or element can actually be representative of a broader functionor of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. These areimplicitly included in this disclosure.

Where the invention is described in device-oriented orapparatus-oriented terminology, each element of the device or apparatusimplicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only beincluded for the device or apparatus described, but also method orprocess claims may be included to address the functions the inventionand each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminologyis intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included inany subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention. Such changes are alsoimplicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scopeof this invention. A broad disclosure encompassing both the explicitembodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternativeembodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like areencompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting theclaims for any subsequent patent application.

It should be understood that such language changes and broader or moredetailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by anyrequired deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks apatent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the readershould be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support anysubsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of asbroad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may bedesigned to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the inventionboth independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the invention and claims mayalso be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used orimplied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual aswell as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected.This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation,be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a methodor process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element ofthese. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosurerelates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may beexpressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms--even if onlythe function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or evenmore generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in thedescription of each element or action.

Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit theimplicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled. As butone example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressedas a means for taking that action or as an element which causes thataction. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understoodto encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical elementfacilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, thedisclosure of a “support” should be understood to encompass disclosureof the act of “supporting”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and,conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of“supporting”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompassdisclosure of a “support”. Such changes and alternative terms are to beunderstood to be explicitly included in the description.

Any acts of law, statutes, regulations, or rules mentioned in thisapplication for patent; or patents, publications, or other referencesmentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated fullyand for all purposes by reference. In addition, as to each term used itshould be understood that unless its utilization in this application isinconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitionsshould be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions,alternative terms, and synonyms are hereby incorporated by reference.

The inventors should be understood to have support to claim and make astatement of invention to at least: i) each of the systems and new partsthereof as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methodsdisclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicitvariations of each of these systems, parts, and methods, iv) thosealternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as aredisclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods whichaccomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplishthat which is disclosed and described, vi) each aspect, feature,component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii)the applications enhanced by the various systems or componentsdisclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems orcomponents, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described asnow applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods andapparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with referenceto any of the accompanying examples, xi) the various combinations andpermutations of each of the elements disclosed, and xii) eachpotentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and everyone of the independent claims or concepts presented.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, itshould be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid greatexpansion of the examination burden, the inventors may at any timepresent only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with onlyinitial dependencies. Support should be understood to exist to thedegree required under new matter laws—including but not limited toEuropean Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of thevarious dependencies or other elements presented under one independentclaim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independentclaim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in thisapplication or in any subsequent application, it should also beunderstood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broada scope of coverage as legally available.

To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extentthat the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literallyencompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwiseapplicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any wayintended to or actually waived or relinquished such coverage.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase“comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, accordingto traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requiresotherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” orvariations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to implythe inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or stepsbut not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elementsor steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive formso as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible.A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not excludethe possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless thecontext clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

Any claims set forth at any time during the pendency of the applicationfor this patent or offspring of it are hereby incorporated by referenceas part of this description of the invention, and the applicantexpressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of suchincorporated content of such claims as additional description to supportany of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and theapplicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of orall of the incorporated content of such claims or any element orcomponent thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa asnecessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by thisapplication or by any subsequent continuation, division, orcontinuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of,reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules,or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporatedby reference shall survive during the entire pendency of thisapplication including any subsequent continuation, division, orcontinuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extensionthereon.

Certain changes can be made in the subject matter without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of this invention. It is realized that changesare possible within the scope of this invention and it is furtherintended that each element or step recited herein is to be understood asreferring to the step literally and/or to all equivalent elements orsteps. It is intended to cover the invention as broadly as legallypossible in whatever form it may be utilized.

The invention described herein is new and novel in accordance with 35U.S.C. § 102 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 102.The invention described herein is not obvious in accordance with 35U.S.C. § 103 and satisfies the conditions for patentability in § 103.The inventors may rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine andassess the scope of the invention.

All patents and applications identified herein are incorporated fullyherein for all purposes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling fluid flowing in a flowstream, the method comprising transmitting fluid in a flow stream to avalve to receive the flow stream, the valve comprising a ball valve, theball valve comprising a valve body with a main passageway therethroughfor fluid flow through the valve, a valve member positioned rotatably inthe valve body for controlling fluid flow in the main passageway, thevalve member comprising a ball, the ball having a ball passagewaytherethrough and the ball positionable in fluid communication with themain passageway of the valve, the ball passageway having a first flowport at a first end of the ball passageway and a second flow port at asecond end of the ball passageway, the first end spaced apart from thesecond end, a ball check movably disposed within the ball in the ballpassageway, the ball check having a maximum diameter, the ball having aball seat against which the ball check can seat to close off the ballpassageway to fluid flow to prevent fluid flow through the first flowport, the main passageway of the body having a flow portion between thefirst flow port and the ball check, the flow portion having a flowportion dimension, the flow portion dimension smaller than the maximumdiameter of the ball check so that the ball check is not passablethrough the flow portion and is not passable out of the ball, the ballmember having retaining structure at the second flow port to retain theball check and prevent the ball check from exiting from the ball memberthrough the second flow port, the retaining structure secured to theball, the ball positionable in three positions, the three positionsincluding a first position, a second position, and a third position,each of the three positions different from the other two positions, theball selectively rotatable to one of the three positions, the firstposition different from the second position, the first positiondifferent from the third position and comprising a run position in whichthe ball is positioned permitting fluid flow in a first directionthrough the valve from the first flow port to the second flow port andfluid flow in a second direction through the valve from the second flowport to the first flow port, the second position different from thefirst position, the second position different from the third position,the second position comprising a bypass position in which the ball ispositioned permitting fluid flow in the second direction through thevalve from the second flow port to the first flow port, and the thirdposition different from the second position, the third positiondifferent from the first position, the third position comprising aclosed position in which the ball is positioned to close the valve tofluid flow, wherein the ball passageway, the ball check, and theretaining structure are sized so that desired fluid flow is permittedthrough the valve and around the ball check in both the first positionand in the second position, wherein the retaining structure is a platesecured within the ball, the plate having a shape that is generally aflat cylinder, the plate having open area through which fluid flowingthrough the ball passageway is flowable, the plate further comprising aring and a central member, the central member extending across the ring,and the open area comprising two opposed flow openings, each flowopening between a portion of the ring and a portion of the centralmember, and selectively controlling the valve to control a flow of fluidin the flow stream.
 2. The method of claim 1, the valve furthercomprising a stem, a portion of the stem extending through the valvebody and rotatable therein, the stem having an end, the ball having arecess for receiving and holding the end of the stem, the end of thestem within the recess.
 3. The method of claim 1, the valve furthercomprising the ball valve comprising a trunnion ball valve, the trunnionball valve having a trunnion structure enabling rotation of the ball,the trunnion structure comprising an upper trunnion and a lowertrunnion, the ball having an upper bore, the upper trunnion having alower end, the lower end disposed within the upper bore, the ball havinga lower bore, the lower trunnion having an upper end, the upper enddisposed within the lower bore.
 4. The method of claim 1, the valvefurther comprising the retaining structure is a plate secured within theball, the plate having a shape that is generally a flat cylinder, theplate having an open area through which fluid flowing through the ballpassageway is flowable.
 5. The method of claim 4, the valve furthercomprising a groove in the ball, a clip in the groove holding the platewithin the ball.
 6. The method of claim 5, the valve further comprisingthe clip is a snap ring that holds the plate in place.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, the valve further comprising the snap ring is an open ring. 8.The method of claim 1, the valve further comprising the ball is movablefrom the first position to the second position to cause fluid flowing inthe valve to flush contaminants from within the valve.
 9. The method ofclaim 1, the valve further comprising the ball is movable from the firstposition to the second position to cause fluid flowing in the valve toflush contaminants from within the valve.
 10. A method for controllingfluid flowing in a flow stream, the method comprising transmitting fluidin a flow stream to a valve to receive the flow stream, he valvecomprising a ball valve, the ball valve comprising a valve body with amain passageway therethrough for fluid flow through the valve, a valvemember positioned rotatably in the valve body for controlling fluid flowin the main passageway, the valve member comprising a ball, the ballhaving a ball passageway therethrough and the ball positionable in fluidcommunication with the main passageway of the valve, the ball passagewayhaving a first flow port at a first end of the ball passageway and asecond flow port at a second end of the ball passageway, the first endspaced apart from the second end, a ball check movably disposed withinthe ball in the ball passageway, the ball check having a maximumdiameter, the ball having a ball seat against which the ball check canseat to close off the ball passageway to fluid flow to prevent fluidflow through the first flow port, the main passageway of the body havinga flow portion between the first flow port and the ball check, the flowportion having a flow portion dimension, the flow portion dimensionsmaller than the maximum diameter of the ball check so that the ballcheck is not passable through the flow portion and is not passable outof the ball, the ball having retaining structure at the second flow portto retain the ball check and prevent the ball check from exiting fromthe ball through the second flow port, the retaining structure securedto the ball, the ball positionable in three positions, the threepositions including a first position, a second position, and a thirdposition, each of the three positions different from the other twopositions, the ball selectively rotatable to one of the three positions,the first position different from the second position, the firstposition different from the third position and comprising a run positionin which the ball is positioned permitting fluid flow in a firstdirection through the valve from the first flow port to the second flowport and fluid flow in a second direction through the valve from thesecond flow port to the first flow port, the second position differentfrom the first position, the second position different from the thirdposition, the second position comprising a bypass position in which theball is positioned permitting fluid flow in the second direction throughthe valve from the second flow port to the first flow port, and thethird position different from the second position, the third positiondifferent from the first position, the third position comprising aclosed position in which the ball is positioned to close the valve tofluid flow, wherein the ball passageway, the ball check, and theretaining structure are sized so that desired fluid flow is permittedthrough the valve and around the ball check in both the first positionand in the second position, wherein the ball is movable from the firstposition to the second position to cause fluid flowing in the valve toflush contaminants from within the valve, the retaining structurecomprising a plate and a guide seat, the guide seat projecting inwardlyfrom the ball passageway, the guide seat having an inner surface, partof the inner surface defining an end of a recess, and part of the plateabutting part of the guide seat, and selectively controlling the valveto control a flow of fluid in the flow stream.
 11. A method forproducing an exit stream, the exit stream comprising a stream exiting avalve, the method comprising transmitting fluid in a flow stream to avalve to receive the fluid, controlling the fluid from the flow streamusing the valve, and selectively operating the valve to produce the exitstream that flows from the valve, the valve comprising a ball valve, theball valve comprising a valve body with a main passageway therethroughfor fluid flow through the valve, a valve member positioned rotatably inthe valve body for controlling fluid flow in the main passageway, thevalve member comprising a ball, the ball having a ball passagewaytherethrough and the ball positionable in fluid communication with themain passageway of the valve, the ball passageway having a first flowport at a first end of the ball passageway and a second flow port at asecond end of the ball passageway, the first end spaced apart from thesecond end, a ball check movably disposed within the ball in the ballpassageway, the ball check having a maximum diameter, the ball having aball seat against which the ball check can seat to close off the ballpassageway to fluid flow to prevent fluid flow through the first flowport, the main passageway of the body having a flow portion between thefirst flow port and the ball check, the flow portion having a flowportion dimension, the flow portion dimension smaller than the maximumdiameter of the ball check so that the ball check is not passablethrough the flow portion and is not passable out of the ball, the ballmember having retaining structure at the second flow port to retain theball check and prevent the ball check from exiting from the ball memberthrough the second flow port, the retaining structure secured to theball, the ball positionable in three positions, the three positionsincluding a first position, a second position, and a third position,each of the three positions different from the other two positions, theball selectively rotatable to one of the three positions, the firstposition different from the second position, the first positiondifferent from the third position and comprising a run position in whichthe ball is positioned permitting fluid flow in a first directionthrough the valve from the first flow port to the second flow port andfluid flow in a second direction through the valve from the second flowport to the first flow port, the second position different from thefirst position, the second position different from the third position,the second position comprising a bypass position in which the ball ispositioned permitting fluid flow in the second direction through thevalve from the second flow port to the first flow port, and the thirdposition different from the second position, the third positiondifferent from the first position, the third position comprising aclosed position in which the ball is positioned to close the valve tofluid flow, wherein the ball passageway, the ball check, and theretaining structure are sized so that desired fluid flow is permittedthrough the valve and around the ball check in both the first positionand in the second position, wherein the retaining structure is a platesecured within the ball, the plate having a shape that is generally aflat cylinder, the plate having open area through which fluid flowingthrough the ball passageway is flowable, the plate further comprising aring and a central member, the central member extending across the ring,and the open area comprising two opposed flow openings, each flowopening between a portion of the ring and a portion of the centralmember.
 12. The method of claim 11, the valve further comprising a stem,a portion of the stem extending through the valve body and rotatabletherein, the stem having an end, the ball having a recess for receivingand holding the end of the stem, the end of the stem within the recess.13. The method of claim 11, the valve further comprising the ball valvecomprising a trunnion ball valve, the trunnion ball valve having atrunnion structure enabling rotation of the ball, the trunnion structurecomprising an upper trunnion and a lower trunnion, the ball having anupper bore, the upper trunnion having a lower end, the lower enddisposed within the upper bore-, the ball having a lower bore, the lowertrunnion having an upper end, the upper end disposed within the lowerbore.
 14. The method of claim 11, the valve further comprising theretaining structure is a plate secured within the ball, the plate havinga shape that is generally a flat cylinder, the plate having an open areathrough which fluid flowing through the ball passageway is flowable. 15.The method of claim 14, the valve further comprising a groove in theball, a clip in the groove holding the plate within the ball.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, the valve further comprising the clip is a snap ringthat holds the plate in place.
 17. The method of claim 16, the valvefurther comprising the snap ring is an open ring.
 18. The method ofclaim 11, the valve further comprising the ball is movable from thefirst position to the second position to cause fluid flowing in thevalve to flush contaminants from within the valve.
 19. The method ofclaim 11, the valve further comprising the ball is movable from thefirst position to the second position to cause fluid flowing in thevalve to flush contaminants from within the valve.
 20. The method ofclaim 11 further comprising selectively rotating the ball so that theexit stream exits the valve from one of either the first flow port orthe second flow port.